Environmental pressure group Friends of the Earth, says much of the region is lagging behind the rest of the country.

Areas such as Durham City and Wansbeck in Northumberland, come in for praise for their efforts.

But Sunderland is criticised as "severely lagging" in the study of how local authorities are performing.

Friends of the Earth surveyed every council in the region to gauge doorstep recycling services provided to households.

Although the North East is making good progress in terms of recycling, there is still a long way to go if the region is to catch up with other parts of the country, and the rest of Europe Friends of the Earth

A spokesman said: "The North East's recycling record is improving, but there is still a long way to go before it is something it is something the region can be proud of.

"The research paints a very mixed picture of waste disposal in the region, with the amount being recycled averaging 7.5% in 2002-3, up from 5.2% in 2001-2.

"However, this is still behind the national average of 10.79%.

"Within this, strong performances are shown by Durham City on 13.99% and Wansbeck District Council with 13.34%.

"But others such as Sunderland are severely lagging with a poor 2.36% recycling rate.

Doorstep schemes

"Although the North East is making good progress in terms of recycling, there is still a long way to go if the region is to catch up with other parts of the country, and the rest of Europe.

"Given that some councils in Britain are managing to recycle over 40% of their waste, it is shocking that the North East is only managing 7.5%.

"We hope that this research will inspire councils across the region to build on recent progress and drive up recycling rates over the next year by embracing best practice wherever possible."

Under new legislation, passed in October 2003, authorities must ensure that every household in England is provided with a separate collection of at least two types of recyclable material by 2010.